February 17, 2011

Can Buehler regain confidence?

Although they never admitted it publicly, the Cowboys have to look back and figure they made a mistake not making David Buehler win the kicking job in training camp. Although they had one other kicker in camp briefly, there was no question they were committed to Buehler, who became the Cowboys’ version of Wild Thing – the Charlie Sheen character.

Buehler could kick it far, but not always straight. He ended the year tied for 27th in the NFL in field goal percentage at .750. And of the top 31 kickers in the league, Buehler was the only one to miss two extra points. Twenty-seven of those 31 kickers were perfect in extra points.

The Cowboys brought in veteran Kris Brown before the last regular season game to compete with Buehler in training camp. Kicking coach Chris Boniol said Buehler did not lose confidence during the year, but he does have his work cut out for him.

“I don’t know if it’s a matter of losing confidence,” Boniol said. “I think there is an awareness of nothing’s every guaranteed to anyone, and so he knows he’s going to have to battle. Going to have to work hard and just compete for his job.”